LJ Ross Chooses a classic spooky tale for October's Book Club
Northumberland-born LJ Ross is the bestselling author of the DCI Ryan murder mystery series. Each month, she shares an exclusive Book Club pick with Living North
Published in 1820, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has captured the imaginations of readers around Halloween for years. Moody, seasonal and more than a tad frightening, curl up with this month's LJ Ross Book Club pick.
It tells the tale of Ichabod Crane, a superstitious teacher from Connecticut, who arrives in Sleepy Hollow to teach the local children. He becomes fascinated by ghost stories in the area, particularly the legend of the Headless Horseman, a Hessian soldier who lost his head in battle and – according to the stories – now roams the area seeking a replacement...
LJ’s Thoughts:
‘Some readers may recall the 1990s film dramatisation of this story, featuring Johnny Depp in the title role. However, it’s possible you might not have read the original story – if so, I urge you to remedy that, because this little tale packs a hefty punch and isn’t anywhere near as camp as its big screen counterpart. Irving crafted an atmospheric novel with plenty of heart-pounding moments woven throughout his narrative, which relies on the reader’s imagination to flesh out the eerie details of the Horseman and his exploits around the picturesque Hudson Valley. If you like classic reads but lack the time to invest in longer tomes, this is a great compromise!’
